Valve apparatus



June 21 1927.

|. w. KNIGHT VALVE] APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR My W K/v/ HT- ATTORNEYS June 21 1927. 1,633,109

1 w. KNIGHT vALvE APPAfiATUs i d June 15 2 :5 Sheets-Sheet 2 62 INVENTOR My 14/. Mme r ATTORNEY5 v 1,633,109 June 21 1927- w. KNIGHT VALVE APPARATUS Fild June 15, 1925 I s Sheets-Sheet 5 Y MM, climax. HQLJ ATTORNEYS- Patented June 21, 1927.

UNITED. STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

131 ,w. KNIGHT, OF CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGN'OR 'ro GENERAL FIRE EXTIN- GUISEER COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHQDE IsLAND, A CORPORATION OE DELA- VALVE APPARATUS.

Application filed June 15, 1925. Serial No. 87,386.

source is too low for effective sprinkler service, and where the structural weakness of the risk makes it impracticable or financially prohibitive to use a large gravity tank. uch systems, whether of the wet or dry pipe t pe, include between the supply main and t e distribution pipes a normally in- 2 active pump and control means therefor, re; sponsive to the system pressure for starting the pump whenever a sprinkler head is opened. Reliability being of the very essence, it is highly advisable to test such systems frequently. The great cost of having experts visit each risk to make the tests 10- cally, with desirable frequency, emphasizes the desirability to have several risks connected electrically with a central supervisory station by a device enabling a test of any individual risk to be made by a person at that station, whenever desired. Such a system is disclosed in United States Patent Albert J. Loepsinger and entitled Supervisory device for automatic sprinkler sysv cult to be made whose normal unction is to terms and the like. The test valve apparatus illustrated and described herein is particulafly adapted for use in a supervisory system such as is disclosed in that other applications of its princip es are possible for operating a valve located at a distance from the Operator. For automatio sprinkler systems the invention is applicable to both wet pipe and dry pipe arrangements.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises a valve controlling an outlet from a sprinkler system whereby a situation may be produced simulating the conditions that would exist in the system if a sprinkler head were opened by fire. The stem of this No. 1,504,563, granted August 12, 1924, to-

atent; but

valve is lifted by a lever which is a sort of connecting rod to translate the rotary motion of a crank into reciprocating motion of the stem, to open or close the valve. The crank is turned through a single rotation by suitable gearing, driven by a small electric motor which starts in response to an impulse rela ed from aremote central supervisory station. The crank arm is a disk whose peripheral edge constitutes a series of cam surfaces adapted during a single rotation to make and break certain circuits controlling the motor.

In the embodiment illustrated, which is suitable more particularly for a wet pipe system,-the dlsk pauses at the ,end of a half rotation with the test valve open. After time when the pump should start, the disk is moved through its remaining half rotation to close the valve, and then it is stopped until another test is initiated. The pause can be omitted and the rotation of the disk made continuous and such embodiment of the invention'is disclosed in my co-pending application for patent, Serial N 0. 35,837, filed June 8, 1925, where the invention is generically claimed. The present patent is specific to apparatus having provision for a pause in the movements of the disk. It is a feature that during its operations the disk controls circuits connected with a water flow alarm device, to the end that the flow of water incident to the test shall not send a water flow signal to the central station, such as occurs when a sprinkler is opened by a fire, nor permit a supplementa control cirbodying the test valve of the present inven-- tion, and shows more or less diagrammatically the local circuits at a risk and also the main transmit-ting wires connecting it and a neighboring risk with the central station;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the test valve of Figure 1 and actuating mechanism therefor, showing the valve closed;

Figure 3 1s a view similar to Figure 2, but with the valve shown open, and

Figure 4 is a side view in section on line H of Figure 2, with the wires omitted.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows somewhat diagrammatically a supervisory circuit L leading from a central oflice A, through a risk B to another risk C where the sprinkler system to which the invention is applied is particularly illustrated as comprising a booster pump 10 set between a low pressure supply main 12 and a riser 14 having distributing pipes 16 leading to automatic sprinkler heads 18 located in various parts of the building comprising the risk. The system up to a water flow alarm check valve34 stands full of water at whatever pressure may exist in the supply main, which is assumed to be too low or uncertain for effective sprinkler discharge. Beyond the valve 34 the system is charged with water and incidentally entrapped air at a pressure set up by the pump during a previous period of operation'. Connected to the riser, above-the valve 84 is a surge tank 20 in which is entrapped a body of air that transmits the system pressure to a pressure-responslve control device 22 adapted upon fall of the pressure to a predetermined degree, such as follows the opening of a sprinkler head, to close an electric circuit a through the field of a solenoid switch 24. The energization of this field causes its armature 26 to be moved so that a cross bar 28 connects a wire 6 leading from one of the power mains M, with a wire 0 running to a starter rheostat 30 controlling the pump motor 32. The pump 10 is thus put into operation to draw water from the su ply pipe 12 and "force it mto' the riser ant distributing pipes at the boosted pressure. As the water flows upward in the riser it opens the check valve 34, and thus causes a water flow signal to be sent to the central oiiice by suitable transmitting apparatus T, more fully described hereinafter. In making a test of the booster system it is desired to reduce the distribution system pressure suiliciently to bring about operation of the pump, as though a sprinkler head had actually opened, and yet to prevent a water flow si nal from being transmitted while the test is being made as in the particular apparatus illustrated the apparatus which transmits such a signal simultaneously sets other apparatus for keeping the pump running continuously until it shall be stopped by an operator manually, as in the case of actual occurrence of a fire.

The test valve apparatus of the present in vention accomplishes this double purpose automatically when the inspector at the central station A operates the apparatus there,

rename as by winding and releasin a transmitter key which sends out theproper impulse along the main line L to actuate momentarily the selector S of the local system that is to be tested. In thus operating, the selector closes a circuit leading from'one side of the main power circuit along the wire d through the now closed controlled switch 38, thence along wire 6 throughtest valve motor 36 (Figure 2) and thence back along wire f to the other side of the power circuit. The test valve motor is thus started; and through a worm 40 on its shaft, and a gear 42 on an auxiliary shaft 44, it drives the latter which, through another worm 46 and gear 48 turns the crank 50-. This-latter is in the form of a disk having a pin 52 outstanding from its fiat surface and projecting through a slot 54 in one end of lever 56 which at its other end is pivotally mounted on the casing 58 and which intermediate'ly is connected to the stem 60 of the test valve 62. As the crank d1sk turns counterclockwise during one-half of a rotation it swings the lever 56 to open the test valve (see Fig. 3) and during the other half rotation to close it. I

.As soon as the key at the central oflice runs down, which occurs soon after the test valve motor has started, the selector S ceases to be energized and the switch 38 which it controls is again opened. This would stop the test valve motor were it not for other means which keep the circuit through the motor closed. These means comprise a wire 9 branching from main wire (Z ahead of the selector controlled switch 38 and leading to one terminal 64 of a spring switch m which carries an arm and roller 66 positioned to engage the peripheral edge of the crank disk 50. This disk edge is formed with two diametrically opposite depressions or hollows 50 and 50 into which the roller 66 may be sprung, by resiliency of its terminal bar 64,,dee ly enough to separate itself from the ot er terminal 68 of switch m as the latter terminal is held by its stop 68. The two sections of peripheral edge of the disk 50 between these depressions 50 and 50 constitute cam surfaces 50 and 50, which are high enough to cause the switch m to remain closed while the roller 66 rides upon them. A branch wire 6 leads from the terminal 68 to wire 6 and the circuit continues thence through the valve operating motor and wire f back to the mam leads. The function of this spring switch m and its circuit is to maintain the motor running during a halt rotation of the disk 50 after it has been started by some other agency, but to'let it stop at the end of each half revolution, at 50 and 50". That is, when the selector Sis operated from the central station andcloses the circuit through switch 38, the valve motor will promptly start; and as the parts are so arranged that its first turnings will rotate the crank disk 50 far enough to cause the roller 66 to ride out of the depression 50 and on to the cam surface O before the. switch 38 opens, the switch m will be closed in season'for the circuit through it to keep the motor running, which continues until the roller has fallen into the depression 50*. Thereby the switch m is opened; and the valve motor stops, leaving the crank disk with pin 52 at the top of path and the test valve wide open as seen in Figure 3, a condition which is to continue until the test has progressed far enough to start the pump, so that it is desired to close the test valve.

The consequent discharge from the system, through the test valve thus opened, lowers pressure therein until that point is reached at which the responsive device 22 is actuated to close the circuita through the solenoid 24:, thus starting the pump.

Beside the contact bar 28 on the armature 26 which spans the terminal points of the pump motor circuit, there is another contact bar 28 which connects another terminal on the wire I) from the main lead with a terminal on a wire it which leads through a second spring switch n located below the crank disk justninety degrees from the spring switch at first described. This switch a also has a roller which rides on the peripheral edge of the disk 50 and is adapted when a suitable cam surface is encountered to press terminal 7 2 against terminal 74. The latter is connected to a branch 6 from branch 6' of the wire is, so that when theswitch n is closed, and the bar 28 spans wires 6 and h a circuit through the valve motor is established. When the test valve 62 is closed, and the roller of spring switch m is in the depression 50, the spring switch n is open, because the cam surface 50 against which the roller is then resting is of such radius, and the switch n is so set with relation to it, that the roller terminal 72 is separated from the terminal 74: which is held by its sion 50", the roller 70 will be against cam surface 50 and the switch 02 will be closed. since this is of greater radius than the opposite surface 50. As the pressure of the system falls, due to the open test valve, the

responsive device 22 actuates the solenoidv and causes thecontact bar 28 to span the terminals of the wires 6 and 'h; and since switch a is now closed the circuit thence through wires 6, e and e and f is complete. This starts the test valve motor through the second half of its rotation, toclose the test valve. Its initial movement closes switch m and thus assures a full half rotation of the crank disk. Before this is completed the switch n, will have opened thereby breaking the circuit through the, solenoid bar 28 so that even if the pum 10 is still running and the bar 28 still in contact, when the test valve is again closed thetest valve motor Will be stopped when roller 66 drops into the hollow 50. In fact, however, if the turning of the disk 50 is so slow, and the action of the starter-and pump so rapid, in the apparatus portrayed, that if the apparatus is in proper working condition the pump will have raised the system pressure suiliciently to affect the pressure responsive device 22 so as to de-energize the solenoid and let bar 28 drop from the terminals of wire I) and h by the time the test valve is again closed. This closing of the test valve is predicated upon the mere making of electrical connections to start the pump, and is not of itself dependent on the actual starting or effectiveness of the pump as a condition precedent, the occurrence of those facts being made known. by other means. 'lffor any reason the pump apparatus is not working, or the test valve'does not automatically close, the operator at the central station operation by switch m until the crank disk 50 has made ahalf rotation and opened the test valve 62, (3) is stopped by switch m when the roller 66 falls into hollow 50", l) is again started by the combined control of the solenoid switch bar 28' and switch n, as the pump starts, (5) is maintained in action during the remaining half rotation by switch m and (6) is again stopped by the opening of switch m when the roller 66 enters hollow 50, following the earlier opening of the switch a. The switch a, being open whenever the test valve is closed, prevents starting of the valve motor in case the solenoid held 24 is energized by the responsive device 22 following the opening of a sprinkler in case of fire.

As previously stated the function of the test valve apparatus is two fold, first to release pressure from the system and establish a condition simulating that which follows the normal opening of a sprinkler, and secend to prevent a water flow signal going to the central oflice while a test is being made. The latter feature will now be explained.

The local water flow signal circuit is of the self supervising type comprising a double loop from one to the other of the spring terminals 82 and 84 of the water flow switch 17. One of these circuits or loops includes the battery B and the other includes the transmitter T. While the switch p is open, current flows in both of these circuits and the solenoid of the transmitter is energized. Vhen the switch is closed, as by the opening of the valve 34 when water flows past. it, the loop of the circuit through the transmitter T is short circuited, the solenoid becomes de-energized, its armature falls and the signalling mechanism 86 of transmitter T is actuated to send a water flow signal to the central otfice, which signifies the opening of a sprinkler, usually by a fire. Also as the spring wound key 87 of the transmitter runs down, an insulated finger 89 comes to rest against one terminal 91 of a spring switch and holds it in contact with the other term nal 93 thereof, thus completing a circuit through wire 9, battery r, wire 8, solenoid t and wire u. vThe armature 95 of this solenoid t, is moved to span the terminals of Wires 6 and 0 connected in parallel with the wires and 0 leading from the pump motor starter. Accordingly the circuit through the motor is maintained even though later, upon rise of system pressure,

the responsive device 22 is reset in nonpump-operating position, freeing the farmature 28 from contact with the terminals of wires Z) and 0. Consequently if the water flow valve is opened and" closes the spring switch 2, not only will a water flow signal be transmitted but the pump will thereafter be operated continuously until the system is manually reset. L

In order'to prevent such effects during a test it is necessary to render the circuits in the loops temporarily irresponsive to the closing of the water flow switch 34. ,This

the present invention accomplishes, by pro;

, vid'ing in the test valve casing a series of spring switches, whose opening or closing is controlled by the crank disk in its rotation. When the test valve is closed, and the system is ready to respond in case a sprinkler head is opened by-fire, the higher cam surface 50 is uppermost as seen in Figure 2. Resting on this surface is a roller 88 Whose arm is attached to a springcontact bar 2' whose end has a double contact point, one

side of which is pressed against 'a contactpoint on another barj' when the roller is on the camsurface 50. Between the bar j and' another bar adjacent to it, is an insulating block 90 which separates'the two and against" which both yieldingly p'ress. Accordingly the pressure of the spring bar z" against the.

bar j is transmitted by;the insulating-block 90 to the bar is and holdsits terminal .point' against still another bar Z". Thus when the roller rests on the cam surface 50 the bars 2 and y" will be in contact as well as the bars 7: and Z. The bar 7" is connected to the wire 7' leading from one terminal 82 of the alarm valve switch 0, and the bar i is connected with wire 2' leading through the transmitter T to the other terminal 841 of the alarm switch, making one loop of the self supervising circuit. The bar is is connected to a second wire 7: leading awayfrom the terminal 82 and the bar Z is connected to a second wire Z leading through the battery 13 back to the other terminal 84, thus forming the second loop of the self supervising circuit. Consequently, when the test valve is closed, and the contacts made as just described, the two loops of the local water flow alarm circuit are made. Should the water flow valve 34 open, the water flow switch will short circuit the loop through the battery and thus de-energize the solenoid loop and cause a water flow signal to be given.

l/Vhen the test valve motor has been started and has moved the crank disk through one half rotation to open thetest valve the cam surface 50 of the crank disk will have moved into contact with the roller 88 as seen in Figure 3. The bar 2" will have sprung downward-and its terminal will have been separated from the bar 9" because the latter will have come in contact with its stop 92 before the downward swing of the bar 2" is completed. Similarly the bar Js will have moved away from thc bar Z as the latter engages its'stop 94'. Consequently upon the roller 88 passing from the cam surface 50 to the cam surface 50 connections between wires 1' and y' and between is and Z will have been broken. Before the separations of bars 4; and 7', during their first downward swing together before-the stop 92 is reached, the double contact point of the bar 1" will have come in contact with the bar Z" below it.-

This contact will continue after the bars 71 and jfand h and Z have separated. As a result, since bar Z" is also connected to wire Z, the alarm valve switch is now rendered inoperative because the self supervising current now flows through bars 2' and Z and the v test, and the water flow switch terminals are closed, there is no interruption of the self supervisory circuit through the transmitter,

because of the connection between the wires 2' and Z. Thus the second function of the test valve apparatus is performed, and no water flow signal can be sent while the test is lacing made, nor will the pump be put in continuous operation.

When the crank disc is again rotated a half revolution to close the test valve, the

roller 88 will be raised by the cam surface 50 and the bar z" placed in contact with the bar 7" before the former separates from the bar Z" upon the latter reaching its stop 96.

n Thus the self supervisory water flow circuit will be maintained through oneconnec-tion or the other of the switches as these connections are changed during the rotation of the crank disk.

I claim as my invention:

1. Valve apparatus comprising av valve; a movable element having operating connec-. tion with the valve and adapted in a single complete movement to effect a complete cycle of operationsof the valve; means for setting the element in motion through. a predetermined portion of its complete movement to a stopping position with partial operation of the valve; and other meanswhereby a predetermined result of said partial operation of the valve puts the element inmotion from said stopping posit-ion to complete its movement.

2. Valve apparatus comprising a'valve; a movable element having operating connection with the valve and adapted in a single complete movement to effect a complete cycle 'of operations of the valve; powermeans for moving said element; means for energizing said power means to start the element; means controlled by the element for de-energizing said power means after a predetermined partial operation of said valve, thereby to stop said element; and other means whereby a. pre-determined result of said partial opera-' tion of the valve again energizes the power means to set the element inmotion to complete its movement.

3. Valve apparatus comprising a valve; a rotating element having operating connectionwith the valve and adapted in a single rotation to effect a complete cycle of operations of the valve; means for starting said element through a partial rotation to a stopping position with the valve in shifted position; and means affected by conditions resulting from the shifted position of the valve for causing rotation of said element from the said stopping position'to complete its rotation- I 4. Valve apparatus comprising a valve; a rotating element having operating connection with the valve and adapted in a single rotation to effect a complete cycle of operations of the valve and whose peripheral edge constitutes a cam surface; an electric motor for rotating said element; means for energizing said motor; a switch controlled by said cam surface for continuing said energization for a predetermined period to shift the valve and then-de-energizing the motor to effect a pause in the operation of the valve; and means, affected by conditions resulting from the said shifting of the valve,

for again starting the rotation of said element to complete the cycle of the valve.

5. Valve apparatus comprising a valve; a motor; mechanism connecting them adapted to open and close the valve upon operation of the motor and comprising a crank disk shifted, and for then opening the switch to stop the motor; means for re-energizing said motor upon the occurrence of a predetermined result' of the shifting of the valve; said c'am surface being further arranged for again closing the said switch and holding it closed during the completion of the disks rotation, and then opening the switch at the end of said rotation to stop the motor.

6 Valve apparatus as in claim 5, characterized by the two said switch closing portions of the cam surface being of different elevation; and the said means for re-energizing the motor beinga switch arranged to be engaged by one elevation and not by .the other; and said other elevation not engaging 1t, being toward it at the time of completion of said rotation, and that which engages it being toward it at the end of said partial rotation.

7 The combination, with an automatic sprinkler system having a pump for boostmg the supply pressure, and control means for said pump including a device responsive to chan .e of pressure, of apparatus for testing sai system, comprisin a valve controlling the pressure in said evice, thereby to start the pump; means operating said valve, comprising a rotating element which in a complete rotation effects a complete cycle of valve operations; means for starting rotation of said element; means controlled by the ele ment for stopping its own motion when the said valve has been shifted so that a change of pressure will be effected in said device to start the pump; and means, affected by actuation of said device, for starting the element to complete its rotation, thereby to shift the valve back to initial position.

opened to effect a change 0 system pressure whereby said device is actuated to start the pump; means for opening and closing said -valve operations; a motor for driving said device for starting said element to complete the rotation.

9. The combination, with an automatic sprinkler system having a pump for boosting the supply pressure, electric means drivingsaid pump, a power circuit therefor having a switch, a supplementary circuit controlling movement of said switch, and a device 1' sponsive to change in pressure for governing said supplementary circuit; of apparatus for testing said. booster, comprising a valve controlling an outlet from said system and adapted upon being opened to effect a change of system pressure whereby said device is actuated; means operatine' said valve comprising a rotating element Wnich in a single coinplete rotation eliects a complete cycle of element; means extending from a remote station for energizing said motor; means controlled by said element for de'energizing its said motor when said element has rotated far enough to shift said valve; and means for reenergizing said motor for completing the rotation, rendered effective by movement of said switch, upon response of said pressure device following the initialrotation and shiftof the valve,

10. The combination, with an automatic sprinkler system having a pump for boosting the supply pressure and means whereby fall of system pressure starts the pump, and a testing valve arranged to produce a fall of system pressure, of means acting when the valve has been opened, to hold it open until the pressure has fallen to apredetermined extent and then to close the said valve.

Signed at Providence, ltlcde island, this 17th day of @ctoher 192e,

KNlGHT. 

